Looking for an Affordable Opportunity to Buy a Simple, Decent Home?

Are you or do you know someone who might be interested in applying to become a Habitat Owner? We usually accept applications from prospective homeowners once a year. Our next round of applications will start around September 2006. If you would like us to contact you for our next Information Night Click Here.

A part of the application process includes attending an orientation for homeowner applicants.  Please call the office for the next meeting times and locations. It is mandatory that applicants attend an orientation. Your application will not be accepted until you have attended a current orientation.

Each round of selections will have a posted deadline.  We will verify applicants information and do an initial screening. Home visits will be scheduled with all applicants' who qualify to assess individual need and a final selection will be made. The selected families become Habitat Partner Families and will start the orientation process of choosing lots and floor-plans a few months before construction begins. 

For more information about who qualifies to become a Habitat homeowner, please see the following section. We also have brochures that cover our selection criteria in detail, including specific income guideline requirements. While all the details from the brochure are here, the brochure is good for passing on to friends. So, please call the office if you would like some brochures.

Anyone wanting more information about the application or selection process can call 541-474-2884.

Habitat's Family Selection Criteria

This section lists the basic guidelines followed in qualifying families who obtain housing with Grants Pass Area Habitat for humanity.

The selection of families who will purchase homes from our affiliate will be done by the Family Selection committee, using three criteria in a way that does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, age, handicap, religion, marital status, or because all or part of the applicant's income is derived from public assistance programs.

Grants Pass Area Habitat for Humanity will look at three distinct areas of selection criteria when reviewing potential "Partner Families":

1. Your family's actual housing need based on the suitability of your current shelter.
2. Your current income and ability to pay for a Habitat house.
3. Your willingness to participate as a "Partner" with Habitat.

1. Need. . .

1. You will be considered for a Habitat Home if your present housing is not adequate, and if you are unable to obtain adequate housing through other conventional means. Lack of adequate housing may include problems with the present structure: water, electrical, or sewage service systems; heating system; or failure to meet city property maintenance standards. Also taken into consideration are the number, the ages and the sex of children compared to the number of bedrooms in your home.
2. The percentage of your monthly income that you currently spend on housing is considered to determine need. You will be required to openly and fully discuss your financial situation with a Habitat Interviewer
3. You must currently live in Josephine County or West Jackson County, and be willing to live anywhere in Josephine county.
4. You and your family will be considered if your total income is not over 60% of the median family income using HUD's 2004 figures. For example:

2. Ability to Pay. . .

Since you will actually be buying your home from Habitat, you must demonstrate your ability to pay the monthly mortgage payment. This payment will include not only the mortgage payment, but the payment for real estate taxes and insurance. We will help you to determine if this payment will jeopardize your ability to pay your other family financial obligations and expenses. We can also help you if you need to develop a budget to determine your eligibility.

3. Willingness to Partner with Habitat. . .

1. When selected, you become a "partner family" in the Habitat movement. To become a "partner family" you must complete 250-500 hours of volunteer work with Habitat which will comprise the minimum total "sweat equity" contribution to be completed before becoming a home owner. Your assistance in constructing your home and the homes of others is called "sweat equity" and may include clearing the lot, painting, helping with constructing, providing food to volunteers or working in the Habitat office. As a partner family, you must complete 200-500 hours of "sweat equity". Your family can receive credit with some of those hours by applying time put in on your behalf by friends and relatives who join in the work.
2. You will be responsible for maintenance and repairs of your new house from the time you move into your home.
3. After moving into your home, the Family Support Committee will maintain an ongoing relationship with you. This includes financial counseling and household maintenance education.